CDS harps on accountability, transparency in military procurements

Against the backdrop of corruption allegations directed at some serving and former military personnel, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday directed members of the Armed Forces to abide by the enabling laws provided for in the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of funds for military acquisitions.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Gabriel Olonisakin gave the charge in Abuja while declaring open a one-day DHQ procurement seminar organised in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said members of the Armed Forces need to understand the policy thrust of the current administration as it relates to accountability and transparency in the procurement process of military equipment and platforms.

The Guardian reports that the Military is currently facing probe of the procurements from 2007 to 2015, which revealed that nearly $20 billion was allegedly doled out to political cronies, friends and allies in military contracts, without recourse to due process or procurement standard as provided by law.

Olonisakin explained, “a thorough knowledge of all lay down procedures, processes as well as relevant provisions will no doubt go a long way in ensuring a virile procurement capacity, that would be relevant to the needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

Olonisakin told the participants “it is important to explore this opportunity and adequately equip yourselves in procurement procedures as enshrined in the Public Procurement Act 2007.”

Acting Director General of the BPP, Ahmed Abdul, who spoke on the topic ‘Public Procurement Act: An Effective Tool for Delivering for Less,’ said the image of any government is largely influenced by the quality of public procurement in all its endeavours, using public funds as the objectives if it is to get the best value for money, build in accountability, reduce scope of corruption and abuse, among others.”

Abdul said the BPP has been able to save the country about N680 billion between 2009 and 2014 from the review of procurement of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Retired Air Commodore Babatunde Akanbi, who spoke on theme, ‘Salient Issues and Guidelines in Defence Equipment Procurement,’ said, “we have to take procurement seriously, we have to professionalise procurement, we don’t believe that procurement should continue to be for anybody, but for those that are trained so that they would be able to carry out the procedure as enshrined in the Act.”